I've been getting bored of my Mini (had it well over 2 years now, a long time for me) so have been considering my next car.

I was quite taken with the W204 C-Class Mercedes. I've looked at them before and found them classy and comfortable, plus it is a decent looking car and quite well specified. Right now, leasing rates are very good, and Mercedes are offering strong discounts and reasonable APR on PCP contracts. Add to that some nice new trim/spec levels on MY13 models and I was pretty sure my next car would have a three pointed star.

Boy was I wrong!

I took out a brand new C-class C220 CDI auto back to back with an F30 320d and the difference, as Mr Clarkson would say, is astonishing.

The F30 rides better, handles better, performs better and is just in another league. The only thing the Merc seemed to do better is shift gear (on the auto). Whilst the BMW 8-speed unit is beautifully smooth compared to the Merc 7-speed, the Merc unit always seemed to be in the right gear at the right time and the BMW couldn't seem to make its mind up. Also, the stop-start function on the Merc worked flawlessly whereas the BMW didn't; it would turn the engine off and then immediately turn it on again for no apparent reason.

Even after the drive, I didn't realistically think BMW would get anywhere near Mercedes prices on such a new model, but with the current 3.9% APR offer, a very good part-ex for my Mini and a modest discount on the F30, they got reasonably close (£20 per month) to the figures Mercedes were giving me.

Suffice to say I ordered a manual one they had in the showroom and pick it up tomorrow!

I'm taking it straight on holiday so may not have pics up for a week or so. I'll post a thread when I have it.

I've been getting bored of my Mini (had it well over 2 years now, a long time for me) so have been considering my next car.

I was quite taken with the W204 C-Class Mercedes. I've looked at them before and found them classy and comfortable, plus it is a decent looking car and quite well specified. Right now, leasing rates are very good, and Mercedes are offering strong discounts and reasonable APR on PCP contracts. Add to that some nice new trim/spec levels on MY13 models and I was pretty sure my next car would have a three pointed star.

Boy was I wrong!

I took out a brand new C-class C220 CDI auto back to back with an F30 320d and the difference, as Mr Clarkson would say, is astonishing.

The F30 rides better, handles better, performs better and is just in another league. The only thing the Merc seemed to do better is shift gear (on the auto). Whilst the BMW 8-speed unit is beautifully smooth compared to the Merc 7-speed, the Merc unit always seemed to be in the right gear at the right time and the BMW couldn't seem to make its mind up. Also, the stop-start function on the Merc worked flawlessly whereas the BMW didn't; it would turn the engine off and then immediately turn it on again for no apparent reason.

Even after the drive, I didn't realistically think BMW would get anywhere near Mercedes prices on such a new model, but with the current 3.9% APR offer, a very good part-ex for my Mini and a modest discount on the F30, they got reasonably close (£20 per month) to the figures Mercedes were giving me.

Suffice to say I ordered a manual one they had in the showroom and pick it up tomorrow!

I'm taking it straight on holiday so may not have pics up for a week or so. I'll post a thread when I have it.

the auto might depend on what gearbox was fitted, the normal AT vs the sport AT. and as for the stop start, it could either be because you varied the pressure on the brake pedal or the car decided it couldnt maintain that functions you were using at the time (air conditioning, fan speed, wipers etc)
what line is it? what options?
congratulations

Now I have pics I'll create a new thread, but as a teaser it is a 318d Sport in Alpine White with the nicer 18" wheels. Not many other options other than darkened glass and servotronic steering. In fairness, not necessarily options I would've focused on but I got a damn good deal as a result of taking a stock model.